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I had to buy this saw to replace one (the same model) that fell off a roof. It is a lot more expansive than most saws but when you need to get in those tight spots you can't beat it.
This a awesome machine lots power.With the two swivels heads it can get into some tight spots. Fast shipping too.
I got mine at HD for $99. I took it apart and it would be a simple part to replace but I have looked and looked at online parts sites and cannot find it. I have a lot of different brands of tools (Delta, Makita, Bosch, Ridgid) and Porter Cable is the only brand I have ever had to get replacement parts for, other than maintenance type things. Anyway, I have only used it to remodel one house, not heavy usage by any means. I liked the saw all in all and would buy another for $99, but for $216, I'll pass.
That is true, too. Porter Cable's site is a joke. Another reviewer said that this is jerky. This will definely get in those tight places that other sawzalls won't. Recently, the gearing tore up inside and it stopped reciprocating. I have had to get parts for other Porter Cable tools so I know they are out there. It will jerk you around and is tiring using for long. Hope you never have to look on their site for parts or service.
They had it for months at that price but no more (this was several years ago). It just burns me up to scrap a $200 saw for the lack of a $20 part. It didn't last long enough and like the other guy said, it's nice to have for those few times when you need the variable angle but mostly a cheaper, regular sawzall will work better. No help for parts there.
Absolutely a great tool. Friends use it a lot. No problems with the gears with the adjustable head, which were a concern for me. Get's into those tight places and does a great job.
Using an uncomfortable saw 100% of the time just because 2% of the time I might need it's special feature doesn't make sense to me. I was swayed to purchase the Porter-Cable by the glowing reports of 'impossible' angles you could cut (see reviews below). Even in its 'straight-body' (normal) orientation the saw uncomfortably vibrates in your hand, and the neck feels 'too wide' to hold securely for long periods (in my admittedly small hand). That said, there were some cuts I made which did save me 1/2 to 1 hour (or more) of time vs. In my 5 months of using it I have *always* found it difficult to start any cut cleanly. I purchased my Porter-Cable 9750 from this site about five months ago and by now I have used it for many common tasks such as demolition, hole cut-out and edge trim-off, pick-up framing, pipe cutting (all kinds), and much more.Before owning this saw I owned an orbital-action Milwaulkee Sawzall which I broke after 3 years of use (and abuse). If I had money for only one recpricating saw, I would definately NOT buy this one, but instead go back to my familiar Milwaulkee Sawzall. the alternate (manual) approaches.Would I buy the saw again.
To do so I've often had to resort to hand-sawing a pilot groove - something I just hardly ever needed to do with my Sawzall.Demolition work is a drag with this saw. Whenever I was reaching out and could not use both hands firmly on the saw the rough startup action would cause the blade to just jump & poke all over the place - completely useless. But the shoe extension in the Porter-Cable is pathetic (just over 1") - about half of what a Sawzall's extension will do (that one is too short also, just much less so). Oh it's sturdy enough, but there is not as much room inside for the power cord, extra blades, or what have you.And finally, what about that vaulted odd-angle cut feature. I just couldn't wait to give it a try.Well, by now, I've found the saw has much-too-much 'chatter' to ever be pleasant to use. As I am a professional handyman/remodeller, I'll use a reciprocating saw several times in my typical week.
When you twist the nose to get the odd-angle cut the vibration goes from 'not so good' to just plain 'pretty bad'. Due to the vibration and relative nose-heavy feel 2 hours with it will tire you as much as 6 with a Sawzall.Don't want to make a deep cut. Not likely. Well I found that many of the odd-angle cuts I wanted to make I couldn't, even though I did manage to get the saw positioned. Several times a year, I would run into just the sort of cutting problem this baby seemed designed for. Usually you put in a short blade and extend the shoe.
On the other hand, if I already had a conventional reciprocating saw and found that I -- repeatly -- was needing that odd-angle feature, then I would buy it again. I don't like the Porter-Cable's plastic case as much as Milwaulkee's either.
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